By NIMROD NL QUIÑONES
Alta Vista Golf and Country Club held on to second spot in the Founders Division while Mactan Island Golf Club zoomed to third in the Sportswriters Division on the penultimate day of the 28th Philippine Airlines Seniors Interclub in Negros Occidental.
In the premiere Championship Division, Canlubang held on to the lead, but Luisita pulled off a big round to come within two points of the leaders.
This tournament is for players aged 55 years old and above.
CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION
Canlubang, which is seeking a fourth straight crown, fired its worst round of the tournament Saturday with 133 points allowing Luisita to come closer.
Canlubang has a three-day aggregate of 419 points on rounds of 143, 143, and 133. Those who counted in the third day were Dave Hernandez 49, Tony Olives 43, and Rene Unson 41. The 38 of team owner Luigi Yulo did not count.
Luisita fired 140 points at the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club courtesy of ex-pro Eddie Bagtas with 51, Bong Sison 45, and Lino Magpantay 44. The 39 of Pepot Iñigo did not count.
At third is Orchard with 404 followed by Manila Golf with 396. Cebu Country Club is fifth with 384.
Nonoy Tirol fired 45 points in the Molave System Saturday while jeric hechanova added 42 and last to count was Lor Alaan with 36. The 34 of Ray Gibbs did not count.
FOUNDERS DIVISION
Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club padded its lead in this second-ranked category firing 137 points Saturday to up its total to 392. Counting in the four-to-play, three-to-count format were Toto Rivera 48, Tonchy de Leon 46, and Nene Tanpingco 43. The 39 of Chito Garcia did not count.
Alta Vista is now 16 points behind and hopes to keep its hold on this spot in the final round that will be played at the Bacolod Golf Club.
Ramon Sebastian and Emira Abutazil each fired 43 points for Alta Vista Saturday while Yasunori hara added 39. The 36 of Masahisa Kawakami did not count.
The team fired rounds of 128, 123, and 125.
Sebastian and Abutazil will be playing their final round today along with skipper Razy Razon and Loloy Sabuga.
At third spot is Wack-Wack with 373 points (129-119-125). Riviera is fourth with 372 followed by Eagle Ridge with 371 and Pueblo de Oro with 370 making the final round an exciting race for second.
SPORTSWRITERS DIVISION
Negrense teams Victorias and Bacolod Golf Club are expected to go head on Sunday as only four points separate the pacesetters of this group.
Victorias has a three-day total of 326 while co-host Bacolod, also known as Binitin, has 322.
Mactan climbed to third out of nowhere with 315 points on rounds of 98, 99, and 118.
Pedrito Buenavista led Mactan with 43 points while Tony Amor made 38 and Rolando Alberto was last to count with 37. The 34 of Leonardo Arevalo did not count.
Iloilo Golf Club is fourth with 312 followed by UP Tee Jots with 308.
This year’s Interclub is co-sponsored by CrossOver with Boeing, Philippines Graphic, Stargate Media (People Asia) and Rogue as corporate backers. Also lending support are Airbus, Business Mirror, One Mega Group (Travel Now), Philippine Broadcasting Corporation, Manila Broadcasting Corporation and Manila Bulletin.
